In an exemplary development, Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath-led government on Friday banned the sale of liquor, meat in a 10-kilometer radious around Mathura-Vrindavan. The government has also declared the area as a 'pilgrimage site'.

This groundbreaking decision has taken days after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Mathura during for Janmashtmi celebrations and asked officials to prepare plans to ban liquor and meat in identical towns of Mathura and Vrindavan. At the time he had said, "The officers concerned are directed to make plans for the ban as well as for the engagement of people involved in such activities in some other trade."

 Adityanath had also suggested that those engaged in the liquor and meat trade may take up selling milk to revive the glory of Mathura, which was known for producing a huge quantity of animal milk.

The decision is being viewed as an attempt by the BJP to consolidate its Hindu vote bank. The saffron party is already banking big on Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the reservation move for the OBC voters. On the flip side,  the opposition parties including the Samajwadi Party and the BSP are also working to woo the Brahmin voters besides their traditional vote bank of Yadavs and Dalits, respectively.

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